I’ve been concerned about the bbq grills in Brooklyn Bridge Park since they appeared. Does the FDNY hang close to the area? This past Easter Sunday there was a huge crowd in that grilling area (I was walking) and a strong wind storm blew in. I was on the other side of the park when this happened but wonder how the sudden wind was handled by the grillers. Anyone know what happened or have same concerns?

CassieVonMontague

Is your concern about fires? Because I think there is little chance of any significant fires due to grilling.

I’m only concerned about the additional air pollution. With the BQE, the wood-burning fireplaces and pizza ovens I think our neighborhood should address local air pollution.

I’ll take this opportunity to get on my soap box: Please cut back on wood burning or consider converting your fireplace to gas if you live in this neighborhood. I know it’s cozy, but it’s harmful to health and the environment.

Sheila Kaplan

Yes my concern is fire related.

DIBS

I think it is overdone.

Boerum Bill

Harness the hoops! Ban the grills! Corral the crowds! Run for the hills!

Harpoon the helis! Shun the shows! Free the bike paths! Banish the bros!

gc

Anyone know what ship is sitting just north of the Statue of Liberty? It’s been sitting there, off and on, for the past few days.

Andrew Porter

I’ve seen reports that show that BH has high levels of pollution, because we’re downwind from the FDR, BQE, and the Brooklyn Bridge. Certainly my place always has a ton of fine dust on all the surfaces, regardless of what I do.

Andrew Porter

Time for more BH postcards. Here’s the lobby of the Bossert Hotel, in its glory days:

I have no problems w the park or the people who use it. I was simply stating a concern that apparently is not shared by people on this blog — and that’s fine with me. I have many other things to worry about.

bpelle

It’s a valid concern, but there doesn’t seem to be much flammable material nearby. It might be an issue if they let the grass/scrub on the new berm grow too tall and dry out in the fall, but even then it’s pretty far away.

Sheila Kaplan

Thanks for kindly sharing this information :)

Alec

Wait he changed his name TO Eugene Shivdler?

Jorale-man

Manhattan looked like the skylines of Dubai or modern-day Shanghai back then!

The Eagle just reported that in BBP, CC TV cameras will be installed, and there will be a much greater police presence in future.

I commented there, “This is welcome news. Under the former President of the BBP, Regina Meyer, efforts were constantly made to attract more and more people and events to the Park, without a commensurate increase in efforts to police it.”

Since the Park is a focus these days. Through a combination of wrong signage, no signage and weird signage the Brooklyn Bridge Park Corp. is doing its beset to keep where the restrooms are in the Park a secret.

So here is a guide to where to “Pee in the Park.” When you enter from Atlantic Avenue there is a sign, if you can see it through the bushes, which points down Pier 6 for “restrooms.” Ignore it.

Make a right and at the next path you will see door entrance on your left with “Fornino” above it and no other signage. Go right in to find the restrooms. As of Tuesday they are under renovation, but there was a “Mr. John” trailer near the outside tables.

At the heavily used Pier 5 with the soccer fields and barbecue area there are no restrooms. As the sign written on Ample Hill’s window recently said: “Bathroom? (it’s behind you) at Pier 6. (this is Pier 5).”

At Pier 2 there are restrooms, but no signage on the path or on the Pier. As you enter Pier 2 look for the blue “NYC H2O” painted on a grey wall. The restrooms are behind the wall.

When you walk towards Pier 1 you will see a blue sign with no writing on it in the walkway. Turn right at the blue sign for the restrooms. On the other side of the sign are directions to the restrooms.

But there used to be a structure with “restrooms” painted on it when you turned. It is gone. Now there is a large white portable port-a-potty trailer with no large signage, only a small “Callahead” logo on it. As of Tuesday, the doors were locked, but there is one blue “Callahead” past in near Furman Street.

After all these years it is more than strange that no park executive ever said, “Let’s put directions on both sides of the sign” to make it easy for people to find the hopefully soon unlocked restrooms.

Now you know where to pee in the park between Atlantic Avenue and the Brooklyn Bridge.

And if you think the bar/restaurant Buzz Bar by the Old Fulton Street park entrance has restrooms, nope. There are in the Ice Cream Factory.

FoodArtforKids.com

Thanks for the comprehensive potty map!

Allie

Hello Neighbors! I have two questions, First, where do you recommend I take a car nearby for simple maintenance such as an oil change? Second, can you recommend someone who does good calligraphy? Thank you!

ColumbiaHeightster

New Xcell Auto Repair in DUMBO on Old Fulton. 2 thumbs way up.

ColumbiaHeightster

You should ask if they do calligraphy too!

StudioBrooklyn

I had a colleague from art school who was a brilliant calligrapher but he seems to have slipped off the face of the earth. I’ll see if I can track him down…

Banet

I used New Excel for a decade and loved them. But then Joke (that’s really his name) the proprietor had a falling out with his co-owner and moved away. I went back one time after that and felt as if I was being taken advantage of.

I track down Joke at his new location. He is in the south, south slope on 3rd Avenue. It’s a little far away but they will give you a ride back to the neighborhood and even come pick up your car if you prefer.

South Slope Auto 542 3rd ave (718) 768-8883

StudioBrooklyn

When it’s open, there are also toilets/showers/lockers behind the Pop-Up Pool; ladies’ and gents’ are located in opposite repurposed shipping containers. You don’t need to be using the pool to use the bathrooms, though you might feel a tad overdressed if you’re not in your swimsuit.

Banet

There will also be bathrooms in the new “boathouse” that will open near the Pier 4 beach in July (located on the Pier 5 uplands) and in the hotel/condo building (not sure about the exact location but this is why the big white trailer is gone).

For now, if you want to use the bathroom in the hotel you just waltz right in, go to the far end of the lobby (the south end) and go down the stairscase with the white walls. You’ll find the bathrooms there.

Diesel

Fire related as in a flair-up burning the burgers? Indeed that would be a disaster.

http://selfabsorbedboomer.blogspot.com/ Claude Scales

I was deeply saddened when I learned that the building I live in replaced a garden.